Thyroid Cancer Screening and Diagnosis

Thyroid Cancer Screening

• Screening is crucial in thyroid cancer diagnosis
• More than 50% of the population over 40 years old have thyroid nodules, but only 5-10% are palpable
• 95% of thyroid nodules are benign
• Thyroid cancer is more common in women than men, at a ratio of 4:1

Thyroid Nodule Diagnosis

• Thyroid nodules can be incidental findings on imaging studies
• A thyroid nodule can be solid, semi-solid, or liquid
• If a nodule is solid or semi-solid, it requires further study
• TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and ultrasound are used to evaluate thyroid nodules

TSH Interpretation

• Low TSH (<0.5) suggests a high probability of thyroid cancer
• Normal TSH (0.5-5) indicates a lower probability of thyroid cancer
• High TSH (>5) may indicate hypothyroidism

Ultrasound Features

• Marginal irregularities, microcalcifications, and extrathyroidal extension are characteristics of high-risk thyroid nodules
• These features increase the likelihood of thyroid cancer

Biopsy and Cytology

• Biopsy is necessary for thyroid nodules with high-risk ultrasound features
• Cytology categorizes thyroid nodules into six categories:
  • Insufficient (1)
  • Benign (2)
  • Indeterminate (3)
  • Follicular neoplasm (4)
  • Suspicious for malignancy (5)
  • Malignant (6)

Thyroid Cancer Classification

• Thyroid cancer can be classified into four main types:
  • Papillary carcinoma (85% of all thyroid cancers)
  • Follicular carcinoma (12% of all thyroid cancers)
  • Anaplastic carcinoma (3% of all thyroid cancers)
  • Medullary carcinoma (rare, associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia)

Treatment

• Well-differentiated thyroid cancers (papillary and follicular) are typically treated with surgery and radioactive iodine ablation
• Poorly differentiated thyroid cancers (anaplastic and medullary) are treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy
• Suppressive thyroid hormone treatment is also used in some cases

Thyroid Cancer Screening

• More than 50% of the population over 40 years old have thyroid nodules, but only 5-10% are palpable
• 95% of thyroid nodules are benign
• Thyroid cancer is more common in women than men, at a ratio of 4:1

Thyroid Nodule Diagnosis

• Thyroid nodules can be incidental findings on imaging studies
• A thyroid nodule can be solid, semi-solid, or liquid
• Solid or semi-solid nodules require further study
• TSH and ultrasound are used to evaluate thyroid nodules

TSH Interpretation

• Low TSH may indicate hypothyroidism

Ultrasound Features

• Marginal irregularities, microcalcifications, and extrathyroidal extension are characteristics of high-risk thyroid nodules
• These features increase the likelihood of thyroid cancer

Biopsy and Cytology

• Biopsy is necessary for thyroid nodules with high-risk ultrasound features
• Cytology categorizes thyroid nodules into six categories:
  • Insufficient
  • Benign
  • Indeterminate
  • Follicular neoplasm
  • Suspicious for malignancy
  • Malignant

Thyroid Cancer Classification

• Thyroid cancer can be classified into four main types:
  • Papillary carcinoma (85% of all thyroid cancers)
  • Follicular carcinoma (12% of all thyroid cancers)
  • Anaplastic carcinoma (3% of all thyroid cancers)
  • Medullary carcinoma (rare, associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia)

Treatment

• Well-differentiated thyroid cancers (papillary and follicular) are typically treated with surgery and radioactive iodine ablation
• Poorly differentiated thyroid cancers (anaplastic and medullary) are treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy
• Suppressive thyroid hormone treatment is also used in some cases

This quiz covers the importance of screening in thyroid cancer diagnosis, characteristics of thyroid nodules, and diagnostic approaches. Learn about the prevalence of thyroid nodules and the importance of further study for certain types of nodules.